Background: Scorpion stings are responsible for many deaths in humans; however, the toxicity mechanisms of the venoms from many species are not well studied. We investigated the cardiotoxicity of the crude venom from H. lepturus scorpion and its isolated fractions, F-I to F-VI. Methods: The scorpion’s venom was extracted into six fractions by chromotagraphy. Healthy male Wistar rats (N=72) wer...

Hemoscorpius lepturus is the most medically important scorpion in Iran. The clinical signs of H. lepturus envenomation are remarkably similar to those reported for brown spiders, including dermonecrosis, hematuria, renal failure and even death. The lethality and toxicity of brown spiders' venom have been attributed to its phospholipase D activity. This study aims to identify a phospholipase D w...

BACKGROUND Scorpions' stings and their own mortalities place them among the most important health and medical problems. The dreadful features and especially their poisonous stings are considered a major cause of human stress and abhorrence/phobia. The current study aimed to study the scorpion fauna of Ilam Province, south western Iran in order to manage scorpionism related problems. METHODS I...

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the biodistribution profile of the venom of Hemiscorpius lepturus, the most dangerous scorpion in Iran. Blood and tissue samples were taken at various predetermined intervals during a 400-minute period for the venom and a 360-minute period for the antivenom in rats. The radio-iodination was carried out using the chloramine-T method. The result...

Abstract: Background: Hemiscorpius lepturus is a medically important scorpion found along the Iranian borders, especially near to Khuzestan Province in the south-west of Iran. This is the only non-buthid scorpion which is potentially lethal in southern Iran and is responsible for severe dermonecrotic scorpionism. OBJECTIVES: In this study, DNA fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase ...